Dominic’s brow arched. “Oh? Then you should be fine. Who’s the lucky confidant? Some widowed friend with a keen eye for debutantes?”
“Your darling sister offered to help me find the most amazing wife.”
Dominic blinked. “Deena?”
“The very same.”
Dominic set his glass down, surprise clear on his face. “Deenais helping you choose a bride. My sister? The one who swears she’ll never marry and thinks most of thetonare shallow peacocks?”
Austin chuckled. “That’s the one.”
Dominic shook his head, still processing. “How on earth did you manage that?”
“She volunteered,” Austin said, shrugging. “Said she’d rather see me properly matched than watch me blunder into a disaster.”
Dominic laughed softly. “That sounds like her. Blunt as a dull knife when she wants to be.” He picked up his glass and sipped. “She’s really helping you sift the candidates?”
Austin nodded. “She has a sharp eye. Call it like she sees it. No fluttering or flattery.”
“Good. She’s always been honest to a fault.” Dominic paused, then fixed Austin with a steady look. “Give me your word, Austin, that you won’t make her sad.”
Austin met his gaze, mirroring his friend’s seriousness, he felt deeply troubled that Deena was keeping secrets from Dominic, but he could not betray her trust either.
“I have no intention of hurting Deena.” He spoke honestly.
“I know you don’t intend to,” Dominic said quietly. “But she’s just come home after five years away. She’s… fragile in ways she hides. I don’t want to see her pack up and leave again because someone, anyone, made her feel unwelcome.”
“You have my word. I’ll look out for her.”
Dominic exhaled. “Thank you.” A faint smile returned. “Since you two are spending time together anyway… do me a favor.”
“Name it!”
“Discreetly nudge her towards the idea of marrying. She swears she’ll never do it, but I think she’s afraid more than convinced.”
Austin’s stomach tightened uncomfortably. The idea of Deena marrying some unworthy, dull lord who would never see the fire in her sat wrong with him.
Very wrong.
But he kept his voice neutral. “You want me to play matchmaker for your sister?”
Dominic leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Not matchmaker exactly. I want someone I trust to remind her that not all men are Haverfords. That a good marriage is possible. She never listens to me when I say it. She thinks I’m just being the protective older brother, but she’ll listen to you, and she’ll trust your judgment. You know which men in the ton aregoodfor her.”
“And how would I know who is good for her?” Austin asked comically.
“Surely London’s most notorious rake knows which men are not partaking in the same sins as him,” Dominic said flatly.
“Ouch.” Austin placed a hand over his heart and feigned his pain.
Dominic rolled his eyes and chuckled.
“But honestly speaking, Dom, I’m not sure that’s wise,” he said carefully. “Pushing her towards marriage might only make her dig her heels in deeper.”
Dominic’s brow creased. “You think she’s that stubborn?”
“I think she’s been hurt,” Austin retorted. “And hurt makes people wary. If I start singing the praises of wedded bliss, she’ll suspect an agenda.”
“Which there is,” Dominic admitted with a rueful smile. “But it’s a good agenda. She deserves what Selina and I have. Someone who sees her…whoreallysees her.”
